ISRO to re-launch GSLV in one year

Kolkata: The Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) is planning to relaunch the Geosynchronous
Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) with a home-grown cryogenic
engine in a year`s time after the failure in April this year.

"We have come across a few scenarios after detailed
analysis of the failure. Now the immediate task is to test it
on the ground and we look forward to relaunch it next year,"
ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan told reporters on the sidelines
of the 117 birth anniversary celebrations of Professor P C
Mahalanobis at the Indian Statistical Institute here.

The five earlier versions of the GSLV had Russia-
supplied cryogenic engines. India`s cryogenic upper stage
(CUS) engine was meant to replace the Russian engines.

The GSLV D-3, the satellite launch vehicle showcasing
the country`s indigenous cryogenic technology, trailed off its
designated course and went out of control shortly after the
lift-off on April 15.

The rocket, along with its two payloads -- satellites
GSAT-4 and GAGAN -- crashed into the Bay of Bengal minutes
after blastoff.

The failed mission caused loss of the GSLV-D3 rocket
costing about Rs 180 crore and the satellites valued at Rs 150
crore.

The launch was the key to India`s space programme as
it would have made it the sixth nation to successfully deploy
cryogenic technology, joining US, Russia, Japan, China and
France.

Meanwhile, Radhakrishnan said Chandrayaan-II will be
launched in 2013.